Abstract
Static cyclic horizontal loading tests were performed on small-scale models of preloaded and prestressed (PL/PS) reinforced soil bridge pier to investigate effects of using tie rods on the seismic stability of the structure. The tie rod tension increases when the height of backfill increases, and decreases when the height of backfill decreases. As a result, when a PL/PS structure exhibits bending deformation by seismic loads, the tie rod tension increases to effectively restrain the deformation of the structure. However, if the initial level of prestress is too low, the confining pressure on soil becomes very small at the elongation side of the bending motion, resulting into large soil deformation, and it causes large residual settlements by shaking and a large reduction in the tie rod tension. Therefore, for the effective use of tie rods to increase the seismic stability of structure, it is important to keep a high prestress level.
